8 Tips For Family-Friendly Travel In Washington, DC

D.C.

Taking a vacation with the kids doesn’t have to be a challenge. With our tips below, you can have a totally stress-free, relaxing visit to DC.

Build Some History Into Your Trip

Get your kids excited about history with a trip to the Library of Congress or to the National Archives, where they can see the Declaration of Independence. You can either walk them through the steps leading up to the signing of the Declaration yourself or sign up for a guided tour in advance (and skip the line).

Make Reservation At Kid-Friendly Restaurants

Worried that your kids will be too picky for restaurant food? Not to fear. Plenty of DC restaurants offer affordable, accessible kids’ menus. Our favorites include the historic Old Ebbitt Grill and Busboys and Poets.

Old Ebbitt Grill675 15th St NW, Washington, DC 20005(202) 347-4800

Busboys and Poets2021 14th St NW(202) 387-7638

Take Advantage of DC’s Free Culture

Budgeting for vacation activities for a family of four can get tricky, which is why we love the totally free-of-charge Smithsonian museums. We recommend visiting a few of the kid-friendly galleries with hands-on exhibits, like the Natural History Museum or National Museum of American History, for some budget-friendly family fun.

Head Out To A Game

Depending on what season you’re in town, you can cheer on the local baseball, hockey, football, or basketball teams. We recommend scoping out special events like bobblehead passes or youth baseball days, when anyone under-12 is invited to run the bases.

Take A Tour

Looking for a stress-free way to keep the kids entertained? Try taking a walking tour of DC’s neighborhoods. The guides will pepper the kids with fun fact and anecdote that’ll keep them occupied and you’ll get to learn about the city’s history and culture.

Catch A Play

Have a night (or day) out at the theater with your family at Washington’s famed Kennedy Center venue, where you can catch big-time musicals. If the kids are a little older, you can also head over to smaller independent spots like the Source Theatre for some more serious content.

Kennedy Center2700 F St NW, Washington, DC 20566(202) 467-4600

The Source Theatre1835 14th St NW, Washington, DC 20009(202) 204-7800

Head To The Mall

No, not that kind of mall. Let the kids get their energy out and run around in Washington’s National Mall while you take in the monuments and memorials.

900 Ohio Drive SWWashington, DC 20024

Take Some Time To Relax

You’re bound to get exhausted from bounding around DC’s many museums and monuments all day. Cap off your day with a night curled up in your comfortable bed back at the Capitol Hill Hotel, where you can watch a family movie on your room’s 32-inch high definition television.

Capitol Hill Hotel, Washington D.C.

Capitol Hill Hotel is located in the heart of the Capitol Hill, one of the most prestigious addresses in the nation’s capital and the largest residential historic district in Washington, DC. From here, embark on a journey through America’s heritage via the National Mall, from the Capitol Building to the Lincoln Memorial with stops along the way at the National Gallery of Art, Smithsonian Institute, Washington Monument, and everything in between. In the other direction, delight in the joys of Capitol Hill’s residential neighborhood, bustling with street fairs, boutique shops, and art galleries galore. Take the family to a baseball game at Nationals Park or for a day of shopping at Eastern Market, Capitol Hill’s diverse cultural hub brimming with artisans, jewelers, farmers, and food vendors from all around the world. End the day with a stroll down Barracks Row, the oldest commercial district in D.C., to indulge in delicious local eats and friendly neighborhood bars.